04 Jan 2012

New USDA TV Feature January 4, 2012: Conservation Programs Present and Future

By USDA Communications Office
Conservation Programs Present and Future

 

 

INTRO: Conservation programs are the backbone of U-S-D-A's efforts to address environmental concerns. The

U-S-D-A's Bob Ellison has more on the importance of these programs and their role in solving future challenges. (1:55)

 

U-S-D-A'S NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE PROGRAMS HELP PRODUCERS AND OTHER LANDOWNERS PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. N-R-C-S CHIEF DAVE WHITE SAYS DECREASED SUPPORT FOR THOSE PROGRAMS WOULD HAMPER THAT EFFORT. 

 

Dave White, Chief, NRCS: If we lacked the financial wherewithal to assist producers it would be severely damaging for private land conservation in the United States. We believe that the fate of the environment will be determined by the men and women who own and operate that land and the millions of individual decisions they make every single day. And the better informed they are, the more help we can give them, the better chance we have of keeping our land productive into the future.

 

AND WHITE SAYS THOSE LANDOWNERS WHO HELP PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT NEED TO KNOW THEY WON'T BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS.

 

White: I think we've got to change the whole regulatory mindset to working with people to do the right thing and in return for that, they don't have to fear regulation. Somebody coming in and telling them what they are going to do. Because frankly all the conservation in the world is not going to do you any good if our farmers and ranchers and woodland owners cannot stay in business.

 

WHITE SAYS N-R-C-S PROGRAMS WILL BE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN ADDRESSING LONG TERM ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES.

 

White: I think the biggest challenge we as a nation face in the coming decade is going to be water. Water quality is going to be huge. Equal to that is the issue of water quantity. So one of the key things in order to address water quality, water quantity is the health and resilience of our soils and we're going to make a major effort to try to improve that.

 

N-R-C-S PROGRAMS CURRENTLY AFFECT MORE THAN TWENTY SEVEN POINT SEVEN MILLION ACRES IN THE UNITED STATES. FOR THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, I'M BOB ELLISON.

27 Dec 2011

Iowa Farm Bureau Webinar to Discuss 2012 U.S. and Farm Economic Outlook

By Heather Lilienthal

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Dec. 22, 2011 - While the agricultural industry is helping to strengthen the state's overall economy, it's important for Iowa farmers to carefully manage risk and understand economic challenges and opportunities, says the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF). IFBF will offer a 2012 U.S. and farm economic outlook webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at noon (CST).

The webinar will feature Robert Dieli, president of RDLB, Inc., and Paul Prentice, president of Farm Sector Economics. They will discuss the current volatility in agriculture and offer insight in opportunities and potential challenges.

Participants can access the free webinar at www.iowafarmbureau.com and look for the link on the main rotating banner. Registration is encouraged. Participants can also log in as guests on the day of the webinar.

For more information, contact Ed Kordick, Iowa Farm Bureau commodity services manager, at 515-225-5433.

-30-

23 Dec 2011

Global Population Continues to Increase—Are U.S. Farmers Ready?

By Rick Martin
Soybean Checkoff-Funded Initiatives Support Food Production for the Future

ST. LOUIS (December 20, 2011) - More than seven billion people inhabit planet Earth, and about two billion more will join within 40 years, according to the United Nations Population Division. While many decision makers express concern about sustaining the population, often they forget to ask an important Question: Are U.S. farmers ready to produce the food needed to feed the growing population?

The United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff has responded with a resounding 'yes,' by funding soybean production research designed to help U.S. farmers grow as much as possible with as few resources needed.

"Soybean farmers must stay in tune with what is going on in the United States in order to stay ahead of any problems, such as the growing population," said Jason Bean, a soybean farmer from Holcomb, Mo., and USB director. "Finding ways to figure out how to get everything out of our soybeans in order to have the best yield is crucial for success."

In order to stay ahead of the curve, much of the research USB funds focuses on creating new U.S. soybean varieties more resistant to the pressures from pests and diseases that decrease yield. "Every year, we do a major production research project in each region that allows us to figure out the No. 1 yield robber," says Bean. "Whether it is finding out how to resist pests, like aphids, stink bugs or soybean cyst nematodes, or determining drought tolerance, checkoff-funded research is intended to locate the problem, and then is shared with farmers across the United States."

To help get this research into farmers' hands, USB has established a program to help state soybean checkoff boards, land-grant universities and local extension service staff share checkoff-funded research results with those who need it most. To date, twelve states participate in the program.

But informing U.S. soybean farmers is only one part of the equation. Making sure consumers are informed about the process is important too, says Bean. 

USB is made up of 69 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

###

20 Dec 2011

Iowa's Jim Stillman Elected to Help Lead Soybean Checkoff

By Rick Martin

United Soybean Board Leaders Committed to Moving U.S. Soy Industry Forward in 2012

ST. LOUIS (December 16, 2011) - The United Soybean Board (USB) and soybean checkoff prepare to head into the new year with a new farmer-led executive committee, electing Jim Stillman, a checkoff farmer-leader from Emmetsburg, Iowa, as vice chair. Stillman, along with the 68 other volunteer farmer-directors, will focus on implementing specific, new strategic objectives outlined in the checkoff's Long-Range Strategic Plan.

They include directing soybean checkoff dollars to improve U.S. soybean meal and oil, helping ensure U.S. soybean farmers have the freedom and adequate transportation infrastructure to operate and meeting the needs customers of U.S. soy here at home and abroad. In addition, USB made supporting the biggest domestic user of soy - U.S. poultry, livestock and fish farmers - its top priority.

"These issues are critical to the U.S. soy industry," Stillman said after his election. "I'm honored to help lead the soybean checkoff as it focuses on these issues and others that help maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers."

Stillman has been a checkoff farmer-leader since 2005, most recently serving two terms as USB treasurer.

Other soybean farmer-leaders elected to the 2012 USB executive committee include :

•             Vanessa Kummer, Colfax, N.D., Chair

•             Jim Call, Madison, Minn., Secretary

•             Bob Haselwood, Berryton, Kan., Treasurer

•             Lewis Bainbridge, Ethan, S.D., Domestic Marketing Chair

•             Russ Carpenter, Trumansburg, N.Y., New Uses Chair

•             Sharon Covert, Tiskilwa, Ill., International Marketing Chair

•             Jim Schriver, Montpelier, Ind., Production Chair

•             Jimmy Sneed, Hernando, Miss., Communications Chair

•             Rick Stern, Cream Ridge, N.J, Audit & Evaluation Chair

USB is made up of 69 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit us at www.UnitedSoybean.org

Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy

View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

 

###
19 Dec 2011

Taking the Challenge, Changing the Game

By United Soybean Board
EDITORIAL: Taking the Challenge, Changing the Game
By John Motter, United Soybean Board Farmer-Director

Like most industries, farming constantly evolves. And just like business owners factor different variables into their profitability, farmers must weigh each opportunity and consider how it would benefit our operations. 

Seed choice always plays a major factor in my decisions on the farm, but how often do we consider where the crops from those varieties end up? Demand for soy's two processed components, protein and oil, plays the major role in the price paid per bushel. In the past, protein drove the cost of soybeans through meal for the poultry and livestock industries. Today, oil continues to gain its share of the price paid per bushel and remains an important factor in end-use markets.

A new soybean trait now being introduced in soybean seed varieties addresses improving soybean oil and making it more desirable to our No. 1 soybean oil customer: the food industry. This trait, known as high-oleic soy, helps meet consumer needs while driving demand for U.S. soy. It addresses long-term demand for healthier edible oils and positions soy competitively with other oils.

In recent years, soybean farmers have lost considerable oil demand to competitive oils. High-oleic soybeans provide the opportunity for me and other U.S. soybean farmers to reclaim that market share and positively impact our profit potential. In fact, this oil could help us recapture 3.8 million pounds of lost soybean-oil demand. That's the oil from approximately 341 million bushels of soybeans

We must have end-use markets, but, as farmers, we also need our soybeans to perform so we have something to sell. The varieties featuring this trait should not lower your expectations in the field. Seed companies plan to offer the high-oleic trait in soybean varieties that span several maturity groups and offer a range of agronomic packages.

The high-oleic trait followed an extensive research timeline before commercialization. As a farmer who grew high-oleic soybean varieties this year, I saw that research pay off firsthand. The high-oleic soybeans performed right at my farm's average, a victory for such a new trait.

As this trait becomes available in your area and with your seed brand, I encourage you to take the challenge and help meet our customers' demands. We all need to step up and help change the game for U.S. soybean production.

John Motter is a soybean farmer from Jenera, Ohio, and serves as a director for the United Soybean Board and soybean checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

###

19 Dec 2011

FARM BUREAU MEMBERS ANNOUNCED AWARD WINNERS AT 93rd ANNUAL MEETING

By Heather Lilienthal

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Dec. 9, 2011 - More than 1,000 Iowa Farm Bureau Federation members from across the state gathered at the Polk County Convention Center in Des Moines this week to recognize achievements in agriculture, explore their role in producing food for a hungry world and discuss the 2012 Farm Bill during the organization's 93rd annual meeting.

A number of farmers were recognized for their accomplishments on their operations and within their communities and industry. Distinguished Service to Agriculture awards were given to central Iowa cattle and grain farmers Bill and Nancy Couser, agricultural engineer Stewart Melvin and recently-retired legislator and farmer Dolores Mertz. (Photos of each award winner can be found at www.flickr.com/photos/iowafarmbureau/sets/72157628293522923/.)

Young farmers Justin and Jennifer Dammann, who raise cattle, corn, soybeans, alfalfa and rye on their Century Farm near Essex, won the IFBF Young Farmer Achievement Award and were recognized for their entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to Farm Bureau and their community. (www.flickr.com/photos/iowafarmbureau/6482190819/in/set-72157628293558591.)

Jamie Busch-Upah, a farmer from Tama County, won the Young Farmer Discussion Meet contest. The discussion meet encourages dialogue about issues and challenges that affect agriculture.  It tests young farmers' knowledge of ag-related issues and their ability to express their opinions. (www.flickr.com/photos/iowafarmbureau/sets/72157628293536367/.)

The Dammanns and Busch-Upah will compete in these contests at the national level next month during the American Farm Bureau annual meeting.

Keynote speaker Walter Bond, a former NBA player, offered a "slam dunk" presentation; encouraging farmers to reach out beyond their comfort zones to understand their customers and how others perceive them and their work.  "You have success right now, but don't you dare rest of your laurels. Don't you dare relax," he said. "You've had a great year, but your job is to get bigger, stronger and faster."

-30-

19 Dec 2011

House Passes Bill Striking Preemptively at EPA's Regulation of Farm Dust

By Pamela Helsey

Dec. 9, 2011 - The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill ( HR 1633) that would establish a temporary prohibition against revising any national ambient air quality standard applicable to coarse particulate matter in order to limit federal regulation of "nuisance dust" in areas in which such dust is regulated under state, tribal, or local law. Proponents of the bill were concerned about the possibility that the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency would regulate so-called "farm dust," particulates kicked up in the air during normal farming practices. Opponents of the bill believe the bill's language is too broad and will prevent regulation of harmful pollutants.

The bill was supported by a cross-section of the agricultural community, including the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Feed Industry Association, the American Seed Trade Association, the Dairy Farmers of America, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the National Renderers Association, the Fertilizer Institute, the National Pork Producers Council, the US Beet Sugar Association, and the USA Rice Federation, as well other interest groups such as the American Motorcyclist Association, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association.

The bill was opposed by environmental protection and health policy groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, the American Lung Association, the American Public Health Association, the American Thoracic Society, and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Amongst All Members of the House

  • Interest groups that supported this motion (Milk & dairy producers, Stone, clay, glass & concrete products, Agricultural chemicals (fertilizers & pesticides), Small business associations, Motorcycles, snowmobiles & other motorized vehicle, etc.) gave on average 3.4 times as much to House members who voted 'YES' ($53,758) as they gave to House members who voted 'NO' ($15,816).

Amongst House Democrats

  • Interest groups that supported this motion (Milk & dairy producers, Stone, clay, glass & concrete products, Agricultural chemicals (fertilizers & pesticides), Small business associations, Motorcycles, snowmobiles & other motorized vehicle, etc.) gave on average 4.9 times as much to House Democrats who voted 'YES' ($77,049) as they gave to House Democrats who voted 'NO' ($15,816).

Amongst House Republicans

  • House Republicans received on average over 1.5 times as much from interest groups that supported this motion ($50,487) as they received from interest groups that opposed this motion ($32,812). No Republicans voted against the measure.

METHODOLOGY: MapLight analysis of reported contributions to congressional campaigns of House members in office on day of vote, from interest groups invested in the vote according to MapLight, July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2011. Contributions data source: OpenSecrets.org

A link to this data release can be found here.

13 Dec 2011

Distinguished Service to Ag Winners Named at Iowa Farm Bureau Annual Meeting

By Iowa Farm Bureau

CATTLE-RAISING COUPLE, ENGINEER AND LEGISLATOR NAMED DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO AG WINNERS AT IOWA FARM BUREAU ANNUAL MEETING

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Dec. 9, 2011 - Bill and Nancy Couser are cattle producers who constantly look ahead to the next opportunity to improve not only their operation, but their industry. Stewart Melvin is an engineer who specializes in agricultural water issues that help farmers best care for the environment. Dolores Mertz is an 11-term state representative for District 8 who champions Iowa agriculture. The efforts of these Iowans have furthered the cause of Iowa agriculture and rural communities over the past few decades, earning the Cousers, Melvin and Mertz the 2011 Iowa Farm Bureau Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.  All were recognized during the Iowa Farm Bureau (IFBF) annual meeting in Des Moines, Dec. 7.

The award honors individuals who have played a significant role in the agricultural industry at the local, state and/or national level.  This is the 34th year for the award.  The three winners received plaques and will be added to a permanent display at IFBF headquarters in West Des Moines.

Bill and Nancy Couser

While Bill and Nancy Couser of Nevada are recognized leaders in Iowa agriculture, they're quick to point out that they are life-long learners; always ready to pursue new opportunities and technologies that can benefit their farm, industry and environment.

While the Cousers grew up in small towns with a love for agriculture and livestock, they both worked in other careers before starting the Couser Cattle Company 20 years ago. After a modest beginning with 24 cows, Couser Cattle Co. is now a second and third generation multi-faceted operation that annually feeds and finishes 5,000 to 6,000 head of cattle and farms 5,000 acres, producing both corn seed and soybean seed. Their son, Tim, works on the farm.

The Cousers rely on science-based research to help them run a farm that is economically stable and environmentally responsible. They have worked with a number of organizations and institutions including partnering with the Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA), National Resource Service Center, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Iowa State University (ISU) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to develop a pilot system to replace the effluent basin with a series of vegetative treatment areas and infiltration systems to treat feedlot runoff to an acceptable standard and working with the DNR and Iowa State to build a mono-slope style feeding building that directs rainfall away from a new pen and allows more feeding capacity without compromising the vegetative buffer system.

The Cousers have also been instrumental in the development of Lincolnway Energy, a 50-million gallon local-investor owned ethanol plant which opened in 2006. Located just seven miles from their feedlot, the plant offers an opportunity for them to demonstrate the concept of a sustainable cycle. Couser leads tours of the plant and his farm, explaining how he raises seed corn for ethanol, uses the dried distillers' grains for cattle feed and then uses the cattle manure to fertilize the next corn crop.

Farm Bureau has been a long-time source of information and opportunity for Bill and Nancy. They were honored as Outstanding Young Farmers from IFBF in 1981. Since then, the Cousers have been honored with a number of state and national awards for conservation and community service. Bill was named as one of 10 People Who Matter by Time magazine in 2006. He has been a director of the Story County Cattlemen's Association for 33 years, chair of ICA's business issues committee and a past vice chairman of National Cattlemen's Beef Association animal health committee. He is a former and current president of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, a director of Iowa's Institute of Cooperatives and a director of the Nevada Economic Board.

Nancy has worked as a nurse for 30 years at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames and has served as a director of the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Story County 4-H board, Story County planning and zoning and was a governor-appointed member of the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission.

Stewart Melvin

While Stewart Melvin is an engineer by trade, he's described as a "farmer at heart," by the Davis County Farm Bureau which nominated him for the Distinguished Service to Ag Award.

He grew up on a family farm near Bloomfield and still owns and manages farmland in Davis County.  Stewart spent most of his career as a professor of agricultural engineering at Iowa State University (ISU).  He received all of his degrees, including his Ph.D., from Iowa State.  He has been a licensed engineer in Iowa since 1969. He also taught at Silsoe College in the United Kingdom from 1985-86.

He worked for 34 years as an extension agricultural engineer in Iowa working as a soil, water and waste management specialist prior to retiring from ISU in 2004.  He also served as head of the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department at ISU for eight years.

Melvin served as the interim director for the Iowa State Water Resources Research Institute from 2002-04.

Upon his retirement from ISU, Melvin joined Curry-Wille & Associates (CWA) to work on animal waste management issues, as well as other soil and water engineering projects. He has had international consulting experience in Europe, South America, southeast Asia and Mexico.

Melvin has dedicated his professional life to working to improve agricultural waste management systems and drainage systems. From working with the environmental committee for the Iowa Cattlemen's Association to leading water quality projects in Poland and Russia, Melvin has served farmers in Iowa and beyond.

He's been recognized for his achievements including receiving the Engineer of the Year award from the mid-central regional American Society of Agricultural Engineers in 1991 and 1992 and honored with the Iowa Master Farmer Exceptional Service Award in 2004.

Dolores Mertz

Agriculture has always been a central part of Dolores Mertz's life. Whether that meant working beside her husband, H.P. "Pete," on the family's Kossuth County farm for 32 years to representing Iowa farmers during her 22-year tenure in the Iowa House of Representatives, Mertz has dedicated her life to agriculture. In 2010, she retired from the Iowa House of Representatives after 11 terms.

She started as a farm wife and bank teller in Kossuth County and became the first woman to serve as a Kossuth County supervisor. She was appointed to the board of supervisors in 1983 when her husband passed away and his vacancy needed to be filled. Mertz won a special election in 1984 to complete the remaining two years of his term and, in 1986, she was elected to a four-year term.

Mertz was elected to the House of Representatives in 1988, representing House District 8 which includes Humboldt and Pocahontas counties, southern Kossuth County and northwestern Webster County.

Mertz used her practical knowledge of agriculture as she served on the House Ag Committee for 22 years. She was the first woman appointed as the chair of the House Ag Committee in 2007 and served as the senior Democrat on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, with responsibilities for funding conservation and farm programs. She has also been recognized as an Iowa Farm Bureau "Friend of Agriculture" and has served on the Iowa Environmental Protection Council. She may be the first woman to proudly acknowledge her unofficial title as "Queen of Drainage," as she was extremely knowledgeable about the complex law involving Iowa drainage districts.

In its nomination of Mertz, the Kossuth County Farm Bureau wrote, "Coming from an agricultural background, Dolores took this knowledge to the Legislature. She made sure that Iowa stayed focused on agriculture...she fought hard for the ideas that were important to the Iowa Farm Bureau."

Mertz has also been a local 4-H leader for 25 years, in addition to a number of community activities and leadership roles.

-30-

Editor's Note: To download a photo of these people receiving their award, visit  http://www.flickr.com/photos/iowafarmbureau/sets/72157628293522923/. They are joined by Craig Lang, IFBF past president, on their left and Craig Hill, IFBF newly-elected president, on their right.

 

About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the online media center at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

13 Dec 2011

Ultimate Show Gets Ultimate Roundup

By Dana Morgan

For the first time, the editors of Farm Progress have pulled together all of their reporting on new products exhibited at the 2011 Farm Progress Show.

DECATUR, ILL., (12/08/2011) - The challenge of covering the 90-plus-acre exhibit field of the nation's largest outdoor farm show with more than 500 displays is no easy task. For the first time, the editors of Farm Progress have pulled together a comprehensive look at many new products they found during the 2011 Farm Progress Show.

Editors' Picks - 100 New Ag Products
With more than 100 products included in the new Farm Progress white paper, "What's New From the Farm Progress Show - 2011 New Products White Paper," the compilation gives you a chance to download and view plenty of new technology. The report is free and available on www.FarmProgressDaily.com.

"We've been putting a team of editors 'on the ground' to cover the show for more than a decade, and every year we're astounded by what we turn up," says Willie Vogt, editorial director, Farm Progress. "In this first-ever edition, farmers can review those products, and have interactive access to company websites and phone numbers if they're ready to buy."

Learn About the Latest Ag Technology
Whether you're looking for information from major company introductions, or dozens of new tools and technologies from specialty and shortline companies, you'll find it in this new report. It's a concise, handy review for producers who visited the show as well.

"The white paper is an efficient, and effective, way to deliver higher-end, in-depth content for our readers," says Jeff Lapin, president, Farm Progress. "It's a service we believe our readers will do more to take advantage of as our library expands."

To download this FREE white paper, go to www.FarmProgressDaily.com and click the link to "What's New From the Farm Progress Show - 2011 New Products White Paper" located at the top right of the site under the "Free Reports" heading. After a very short sign-in, you'll get an e-mail link to the information-packed document. It's that simple.

Additional White Papers
Two additional high-interest white papers are also posted on www.FarmProgressDaily.com and more are in development for the site. "We're producing a range of new white papers in the next year covering a wide range of topics. Already, we're giving farmers an in-depth look at key issues with vertical tillage and with corn production," Vogt said. "And you'll see more covering everything from wind power to balers to technology issues."
12 Dec 2011

New Farmer Leadership Takes Soybean Checkoff into the Future

By United Soybean Board
anessa Kummer Elected to Lead United Soybean Board

ST. LOUIS (Dec. 6, 2011) - The national soybean checkoff just wrapped up its first 20 years, but the work doesn't end there. As the United Soybean Board (USB) launches into the next 20 years, new U.S. soybean farmer-leaders take the reins and plan to continue the focus on creating profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers.

USB farmer-directors elected Vanessa Kummer (Koo-mer) as chairperson on Dec. 6, during the checkoff's annual meeting. The Colfax, N.D., soybean farmer will have a busy agenda leading the soybean checkoff's implementation of a new strategic plan. Kummer looks at addressing recommendations from a farmer-driven assessment of USB and help lead the U.S. soybean industry. She will continue to shepherd the checkoff as it looks to increase soybean farmers' profitability in an ever-evolving industry.

"It is our vision to make U.S. soybeans the leader in the global oilseed industry," says Kummer. "We plan to create and maintain partnerships to keep U.S. soybean farmers profitable."  Kummer is the first woman elected to chair the national soybean checkoff.

The team set to lead USB and help the soybean checkoff meet global customer demands with Kummer includes the following officers:

  • Jim Stillman, Emmetsburg, Iowa as Vice Chair;
  • Jim Call, Madison, Minn., as Secretary;
  • Bob Haselwood, Berryton, Kan., as Treasurer;
  • Lewis Bainbridge, Ethan, S.D.
  • Russ Carpenter, Trumansburg, N. Y.
  • Sharon Covert, Tiskilwa, Ill.
  • Jim Schriver, Montpelier, Ind.
  • Jimmy Sneed, Hernando, Miss.
  • Rick Stern, Cream Ridge, N.J.

Marc Curtis, a soybean farmer from Leland, Miss., will continue to serve on the leadership team as past chair.

"We have a great direction and a good team to make things happen," adds Kummer. "We're excited to help direct action that will increase soy's value for all U.S. soybean farmers."

In 2012, the soybean checkoff plans to focus on specific, new strategic objectives. They include directing soybean checkoff dollars to improve U.S. soybean meal and oil, helping ensure U.S. soybean farmers have the freedom and adequate transportation infrastructure to operate and meeting the needs customers of U.S. soy here at home and abroad. In addition, USB made supporting the biggest domestic user of soy, U.S. poultry, livestock and fish farmers, its top priority.

USB is made up of 69 farmer-directors who oversee the investments of the soybean checkoff on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers. Checkoff funds are invested in the areas of animal utilization, human utilization, industrial utilization, industry relations, market access and supply. As stipulated in the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soybean checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

###

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

    

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.